Mixed squamous cell carcinoma and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland (PSCCT) is rare and its aetiology is debated. A 67-year-old man presented with neck mass. Fine-needle-aspiration (FNA) cytology and through-cut biopsy were suggestive of poorly differentiated or anaplastic carcinoma. The patient was offered tracheostomy and palliative cure for unresectable tumor of the thyroid; he refused and decided for other opinion. Lobe-isthmusectomy was performed with diagnostic and debulking intent. Final pathology report was of mixed squamous cell and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. The tumor was a PSCCT. The patient underwent adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. After 2 years, an iliac crest metastasis of follicular carcinoma was diagnosed. The patient is disease free, after surgery and radio-active-iodine treatment. The hypothesis of squamous cell carcinoma transformation from well differentiated thyroid cancer has to be considered in case of PSCCT. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland (PSCCT) is rare [1-3]; different theories on its aetiology do exist [4-6]. Mixed squamous cell and follicular carcinoma is even more rare than pure squamous cell of the thyroid gland and only few cases are reported in literature [7]. Preoperative diagnosis can be very challenging and the differential diagnosis with secondary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (SSCCT) is manadatory in order to plan a correct management of the disease. The presence of PSCCT with distant metastasis of follicular carcinoma supports the histogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas arising from follicular epithelial cells.     

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx

A case of papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is reported. The lesion was located in the base of the tongue and grossly presented a characteristic finger-like pattern of growth. The clinicopathological profile of the neoplasm is presented and the differential diagnosis with other exophytic squamous cell carcinomas is discussed.     

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma within verrucous carcinoma

A case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma within a verrucous carcinoma is presented in order to illustrate the potential problem of underdiagnosis of these lesions. The epidemiology, natural history and histopathology of verrucous carcinoma, and features which distinguish it from invasive squamous cell carcinoma, are reviewed. Unless rigorous attention is paid to histologic detail, a focus of invasive squamous cell carcinoma may escape detection and radiation-induced anaplastic transformation may later be suspected.     

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland occurs infrequently. A retrospective study at the University of Michigan indicates an incidence of 0.3% for all parotid tumors during a 25-year period. This conforms to the data presented by other large series. Before a diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma can be made, mucoepidermoid carcinomas and metastic squamous cell carcinomas must be excluded.     

鳞状细胞癌抗原在鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌患者血清中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌患者血清中鳞状细胞癌抗原(SCC Ag)的表达及其临床意义。方法 对35例鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌、20例鼻内翻性乳头状瘤和30例鼻息肉患者采用微粒子酶免疫法检测血清SCC值,结合临床资料分析该抗原改变的临床意义。结果 鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌、鼻内翻性乳头状瘤、鼻息肉患者SCC阳性率分别为54.29%、35.0%和6.67%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌患者的病理分级及临床分期均与SCC有相关关系(P<0.05)。结论 检测鼻腔鼻窦鳞癌患者血清SCC表达水平对判断病情、临床分期等有一定的临床意义。     

A genomic predictor of oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to identify a genomic profile that predicts the likelihood of oral squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal oral mucosa in unknown tissue samples. STUDY DESIGN: Using a training set of tissue samples that were histologically classified as oral squamous cell carcinoma or normal mucosa, the authors used principal component analysis to develop a genomic predictor for oral squamous cell carcinoma. On a separate test set of unclassified samples, the authors used the predictor to classify the samples, then evaluated the performance of the predictor using histological diagnosis. METHODS: The authors used a data set consisting of messenger RNA extracted from 29 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 19 normal oral mucosa tissue samples and hybridized to Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays containing probe sets for 7070 genes and expressed sequence tags. The samples were divided into a training set of 15 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 10 normal samples and a test set consisting of the remaining samples. Using principal component analysis on the training set, the authors found a composite gene expression vector (principal component vector), which they used to compute likelihood ratios for oral squamous cell carcinoma on the test set. By calculating the contribution of each gene to the principal component vector, the authors identified genes with the greatest predictive value. RESULTS: Using the likelihood ratio, the authors correctly classified all 23 samples in the test set as either oral squamous cell carcinoma or normal. The authors found that many of the most predictive genes are known to be markers of squamous cell carcinoma or normal mucosa. CONCLUSION: Principal component analysis can be used with genomic microarray data to correctly predict the presence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in unknown tissue samples.     

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the aerodigestive tract that has been correlated with a more favorable prognosis than conventional squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In this report, the authors present a case of papillary squamous cell carcinoma and a review of the literature on this topic.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Most of the malignancies arising from the upper respiratory system are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rarely seen high grade variant of SCC that carries a poor prognosis. In this article, we present a case of BSCC of the larynx. In addition, we provide a review of the relevant literature along with a discussion of the differential diagnosis.     

Immunohistochemical study of dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Formalin- or alcohol-fixed, paraffin-embedded laryngeal specimens were stained immunohistochemically with several kinds of monoclonal anti-Keratin antibody (KL-1, PKK-1, PKK-2, PKK-3), polyclonal anti-Keratin antibody, and epithelial membrane antigen. Immunohistochemical technique was used by Avidin-Biotin Complex method with the following subjects; normal epithelium 6 cases, dysplasia 15 cases, inflammation and polyp 12 cases, squamous cell carcinoma 47 cases. 6 specimens of squamous cell carcinoma were totally resected and alcohol-fixed, and other specimens were all biopsied and formalin-fixed. Comparing these two methods, the alcohol-fixed specimen gave superior result to those obtained with formalin-fixed in its staining. Non-staining area was recognized around basal layer by KL-1 stain in the normal epithelium. Enlargement of non-staining area was recognized in the dysplasia. Also, KL-1 staining showed positive staining with the keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, and weak staining with the non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. And, PKK-3 showed weak staining in the keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The results indicate that high molecular weight keratin (56 kilodalton) hardly localize around the basal layer in the squamous epithelium, and also in the non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The other way, this also suggests that low molecular weight keratin (45 kilodalton) hardly localize in the keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. It is supposed that intracellular localization of keratin of dysplastic epithelium and squamous cell carcinoma varies from that in the normal squamous epithelium. Accordingly, monoclonal keratin stain is thought to be an useful method for the diagnosis of dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma.     

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

A case of papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in a 50-year-old man is reported. The lesion was located in the supraglottic region and grossly presented a characteristic finger-like pattern of growth. The tumour pursued an indolent clinical course, and the patient is well and free of disease after 47 months of follow-up. The present paper recapitulates the macro- and microscopic features of this rare neoplasm and stresses its differential diagnosis with other exophytic squamous cell carcinomas of the region.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma - larynx

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, Larynx has been an uncommon site of this tumour which is said to have aggressive biological behaviour with high incidence of cervical and distant metastasis along with second primary. Two cases of laryngeal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma are reported with relevant review of literature. The submucosal spread of tumour is highlighted alongwith role of preoperative radio therapy.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon variant of squamous cell carcinoma and was first described as a distinct entity in 1986. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma seems to have a poorer survival rate than classical squamous cell carcinoma. On the basis of a critical literature survey, we attempt to evaluate if basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is really more aggressive and presents a poorer outcome than squamous cell carcinoma. RECENT FINDINGS: All papers are retrospective, and most include small numbers of cases, which are further diminished when subdivided according to specific sites. Only in three studies was basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region compared with matched squamous cell carcinoma controls. These studies did not show a uniform tendency regarding the aggressiveness and outcome of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, several recent papers confirmed the presumed greater aggressiveness and worse outcome, and other recent papers questioned these characteristics. SUMMARY: The presented literature survey does not permit conclusions regarding the aggressiveness and outcome of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma. Greater numbers of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma should be studied and compared with site-matched, stage-matched, and age-matched controls of conventional squamous cell carcinoma.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate: case report

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a histologically distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma. It occurs in various sites of the head and neck region and is believed to carry a dismal prognosis. The palate is a very rare site of BSCC development and only three cases have been reported in the international literature. In this report, we present a case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate. The therapeutic strategy and histological findings are described in detail, including immunohistochemistry with the use of involucrin, an agent used for the first time for BSCC diagnosis. In addition, a brief review of the literature is presented.     

多重癌的临床分析

目的探讨先证舌鳞状上皮癌(简称鳞癌)多重癌的临床特点和预后。方法中山大学肿瘤防治中心头颈科1992年1月～2001年12月收治580例舌鳞癌患者中,48例多重癌,其中先证舌鳞癌19例,回顾分析其临床和随访资料,探讨其临床特点和预后;Kaplan- Meier方法计算累积生存率。结果全组患者总的3年、5年生存率分别为30.3%、20.2%;第二原发癌19例包括口腔鳞癌9例(舌癌5例、软腭癌2例,口底和牙龈癌各1例)、食管鳞癌4例(其中发生在颈段1例)、肺癌3例,腮腺腺癌、喉鳞癌和乳腺腺癌各1例。两癌发生的中位时间间隔为78个月(范围:6～132个月)。结论舌鳞癌多重癌占全部舌鳞癌患者的8.1%,其中39.5%为先证舌鳞癌;第二原发癌63.1%发生在头颈部,该类患者预后较差,故加强舌鳞癌患者的随访及时发现第二原发癌甚为重要。     

Simultaneous primary oat cell carcinoma (apudoma) and squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx

The first case of the association of oat cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx occurring in a 57-year-old man is reported. The patient underwent total laryngopharyngectomy with radical neck dissection, but died 3 1/2 months after diagnosis with multiple bone metastases of the ribs and vertebrae. The histogenesis of oat cell carcinoma in the hypopharynx is discussed, together with the therapeutic approach for the simultaneous occurrence of two primary malignant neoplasms in the same organ.     

Genetic profile of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: clinical implications

The outcome for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains poor, despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment over the past three decades. This has triggered great interest in the genetic events that underpin the aetiology and clinical behaviour of this group of cancers. As a result, the genetic profile for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas at different sub-sites has been relatively well characterised at the chromosomal level. Various studies have shown links between specific aberrations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and clinical outcome, e.g. loss of heterozygosity at 2q and 18q is commonly associated with poor prognosis, and loss of heterozygosity at 9p21 is associated with recurrence. However, there is as yet no significant clinical application of this genetic knowledge as regards the screening, diagnosis or treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we summarise the current state of knowledge, and highlight the most promising areas of research that may facilitate the translation of genetic data into clinical benefit.     

MRI在舌鳞状细胞癌中的临床应用

目的：通过与术后病理对照,分析舌鳞状细胞癌颈淋巴结转移MRI征象及客观诊断指标,探讨MRI在诊断舌鳞状细胞癌颈部淋巴结转移中的临床价值。方法：对36例舌鳞状细胞癌患者共计115个淋巴结进行MRI术后病理对照分析。结果：舌鳞状细胞癌颈部转移淋巴结在MRI上多数存在微观的淋巴结受侵润征象。舌鳞状细胞癌转移与非转移淋巴结横径差异有统计学意义,但两者T2信号强度差异无统计学意义。结论：MRI可在术前为舌鳞状细胞癌患者提供有效信息,常规MRI图像上肿大淋巴结横短径可作为诊断受到侵润的一个参考指标。     

Oral squamous cell carcinoma in post-transplant patients

Objective

Patients on immunosuppressant therapy after transplantation have an increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. The risk of developing solid tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract in this population has been less defined. We present five patients that subsequently developed oral squamous cell carcinoma after transplantation.

Study design

Retrospective chart review and literature review.

Results

Three bone marrow and two heart transplant patients were subsequently diagnosed with oral (oral cavity or oropharynx) carcinoma. The timing of diagnosis of oral cancer after transplant ranged from 18 months to 17 years post-transplantation.

Conclusions

Patients with a history of transplantation should be routinely assessed for the potential development of oral neoplastic lesions. Oral squamous cell carcinoma in transplant patients can be more aggressive and clinically mistaken for chronic graft versus host disease. It is therefore reasonable to consider early biopsy in these patients to guide the need for intervention.     

Relationship between tumour-node-metastasis stage of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and duration of symptoms

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between disease stage and duration of symptoms for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. METHOD: We evaluated retrospectively data from 102 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients seen in the otorhinolaryngology department of the Gazi University School of Medicine between December 1996 and June 2004. Inclusion criteria were a histologic diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, no previous medical, surgical or radiological treatment for carcinoma, and the absence of any other primary tumours or distant metastatic disease. RESULTS: There was no relationship between duration of symptoms and stage of the disease, both for glottic and supraglottic tumours. When glottic and supraglottic tumours were compared, no significant difference in symptom duration could be found. CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between symptom duration and the stage of the disease for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Therefore, symptom duration does not reflect the stage of the tumour.